Belleville Mayor Candidates Will Meet For Debate Ahead Of 2026 Election

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A debate will take place between the two candidates for Belleville mayor on Friday, May 1.

Mayor Michael Melham and Councilman Frank Vélez will be the featured guests at the debate, which is being hosted by the Belleville Public Schools Parent Organization. There will also be a brief introduction of all council candidates running in the 2026 election.

The event will take place at the Belleville High School auditorium, 100 Passaic Avenue. The debate will begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.)

The debate will be recorded and shared afterwards, organizers said.

The moderator will be announced at the event and is not being shared in advance. Questions have been submitted by Belleville residents and are currently being reviewed and selected. Due to time constraints, not all submissions will be included, organizers said.

ELECTION IN BELLEVILLE

Belleville’s non-partisan municipal election will take place on Tuesday, May 12. Voters will be asked to cast ballots for mayor and two at-large township council members. Terms last for four years. Candidates do not declare political parties in non-partisan elections.

Melham is running for re-election. He faces a challenge from Vélez.

Melham is running on a common slate alongside Deputy Mayor Naomy DePeña and Yolanda Luna, a community volunteer and former PTA and HSA leader.

Vélez is running alongside Danyale Wells, a financial manager and parent organization leader, and Michelle Rodríguez, an educator and ESL professional.

• Related: Michael Melham Launches Re-Election Bid At Birthday Fundraiser
• Related: Frank Vélez Launches Bid For Belleville Mayor In 2026

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